Grip container system

ABSTRACT

A food packaging container is provided. The container comprises a molded body defining a longitudinal axis, and including a plurality of sides and a plurality of axial corners. Each corner has a recess including a first portion and a second portion. Each of the first portions includes an axial grip surface where the grip surfaces are aligned with the body in an orientation for gripping. In some embodiments, packaging products, containers, handles, tooling, applicators and methods are disclosed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a container and moreparticularly to a container having grip surfaces for easy handling.

BACKGROUND

Plastic blow-molded containers are commonly used for food and/orbeverage packaging products. Many food and beverage products are sold tothe consuming public in blow-molded containers. These containers can bemade from polyethylene terephythalate or other suitable plastic resinsin a range of sizes. The empty blow-molded containers can be filled withfood and/or beverage products at a fill site utilizing automated fillequipment.

For example, manufacture of such plastic blow-molded containers caninclude initially forming plastic resin into a preform, which may beprovided by injection molding. Typically, the preform includes a mouthand a generally tubular body that terminates in a closed end. Prior tobeing formed into containers, preforms are softened and transferred intoa mold cavity configured in the shape of a selected container. In themold cavity, the preforms are blow-molded or stretch blow-molded andexpanded into the selected container.

These food packaging containers are adapted to store such products,however, can be difficult in handling, for example, to carry anddispense the food, food preparation and/or beverage products. Further,the material that the containers are made from may not maintain and/orextend the shelf life of the stored products disposed within thecontainers. This disclosure describes an improvement over these priortechnologies.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a food packaging container is provided. The containercomprises a molded body defining a longitudinal axis, and includes aplurality of sides and a plurality of axial corners. Each corner has arecess including a first portion and a second portion. Each of the firstportions includes an axial grip surface where the grip surfaces arealigned with the body in an orientation for gripping. In someembodiments, packaging products, containers, handles, tooling,applicators and methods are disclosed.

In one embodiment, the food packaging container comprises a molded bodydefining a longitudinal axis and includes a first side and a secondside. At least one of the sides includes a first axial corner and asecond axial corner. Each corner has a recess including a first portionand a second portion, and each of the first portions includes an axialgrip surface having a linear configuration. The grip surfaces arealigned with the body in an orientation for gripping.

In one embodiment, the food packaging container comprises a molded bodydefining a longitudinal axis, and includes a plurality of sides and aplurality of axial corners. Each corner having a recess including afirst portion and a second portion. Each of the first portions includesan axial grip surface where the grip surfaces are aligned with the bodyin an orientation for gripping. The body includes a layer of an additiveconfigured to form a barrier that prevents or reduces the ability ofoxygen and/or light to move from an environment surrounding thecontainer to an interior space of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will become more readily apparent from thespecific description accompanied by the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of components of one embodiment of a foodpackaging container in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged break away view of components of the foodpackaging container of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the food packaging container of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the food packaging container of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the food packaging container of FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the food packaging container of FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exemplary embodiments of a food packaging container are discussed interms of containers and more particularly, in terms of a food packagingcontainer, which can be used for containing food, food preparationand/or beverage products. In some embodiments, a food packagingcontainer is provided that can be easily handled by users that have alimited grip strength and/or that have small hands. In some embodiments,the container has multiple grip configurations and can be utilized fromeither side of the container or by using a grip surface on thecontainer. In some embodiments, the container includes a large openingor wide mouth that allows the container to be filled and evacuatedquickly. In some embodiments, the large opening or wide mouth alsofacilitates a wide range of uses for the container. In some embodiments,the large opening or wide mouth of the container can have a diameter orfinish of about 89 mm or larger.

In some embodiments, the container includes a barrier to light and/oroxygen for improved shelf life and product protection. In someembodiments, the container uses a barrier guard technology, such as alayer of an additive to form a barrier that prevents or reduces theability of oxygen and/or light to move from the environment surroundingthe container to an interior space of the container.

In some embodiments, the container is made from a poly(ethyleneterephthalate) (PET) resin material. In some embodiments, the containeris rectangular with equal, opposing grips on narrow sides of thecontainer. In some embodiments, the container includes equal sized labelpanels on the long sides of the container between the grips.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure includes a container whereina barrier material is located in a discrete layer of a first part of apreform that is used to make the container, while the discrete layer ofbarrier material is not present in a second part of the preform. In someembodiments, the discrete layer may include other materials in additionto the barrier material, such as, for example, PET. In some embodiments,the second part of the preform forms dome or moil scrap that is trimmedfrom the first part. In some embodiments, the first part forms amajority of the finished container, while the second part portion formsonly a small percentage of the finished container. In some embodiments,a majority of the second part is trimmed from the first part so thatmost of the second part may be used as scrap. In some embodiments, theentire second part is trimmed from the first part such that the entiresecond part may be used as scrap. In some embodiments, the scrap is usedto make other containers since the second part does not include anyadditives, for example, the section of the second part that is trimmedoff remains suitable for use in making additional containers. Providingscrap material that is free of additives allows for full utilization ofthe scrap material and avoids processing issues associated withreprocessing scrap material that normally would contain additives andbarrier materials.

In some embodiments, when the container is manufactured, scrap materialproduced in manufacturing the container is free of material additives,such as, for example, passive oxygen scavengers, active oxygenscavengers, colorants, calcium carbonate fillers and foaming agents. Insome embodiments, the additives include one or more catalyst. In someembodiments, these additives provide particular functions in a PETbottle or container. In some embodiments, the scrap material produced inmanufacturing the container is a dome or moil scrap that is trimmed froman intermediate article used to form the finished container. In someembodiments, in blow and trim applications where a part of the blowncontainer is removed from the final bottles (dome, moil, etc.) it isdesirable to not have these additives in the portion that is beingremoved. In some embodiments, many of these additives are expensive andit is desirable not to add extra cost into sections of the bottle thatwill not be used in the marketplace. These additives can causeconsiderable reuse issues in the grinding, drying and extrusionprocesses of the dome and moil.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure employs a two-phaseinjection system. In a one phase of the two-phase injection system, PETor virgin PET is injected into a preform. In another phase of thetwo-phase injection system, the preform comprises multiple layers, atleast one of the multiple layers including an additive. In someembodiments, PET or virgin PET and one or more selected additives areinjected into the preform in a second injection cycle to form themultiple layers. In some embodiments, the phase in which the multiplelayers are produced begins after the first phase is completed. Thisallows a dome or moil section of the blown bottle that is trimmed from afinished container and is ground, blended, dried and added to the virginPET melt stream to be free of additives when the scrap is reused. Insome embodiments, the term “virgin PET” refers to a material thatconsists solely of PET and does not include any additives, such as, forexample, the additives discussed above.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure may be useful formanufacturers that run multiple sizes of blow and trim bottles forvarious end uses. For example, the present disclosure may be useful toproduce containers for food items, such as, for example, dressings,sauces and peanuts, wherein oxygen permeation through the sides of thecontainer negatively affect shelf life and/or product flavor. It isenvisioned that the present disclosure may be useful to producecontainers for food items, such as, for example, non-dairy coffeecreamers that require color pigment for both fill-line concealment andproduct protection against UV light penetration. Other containers thatcan be made from the disclosed process include containers formayonnaise, salad dressings, peanuts as well as other condiments and/orfood products.

The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference tothe following detailed description of the embodiments taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part ofthis disclosure. It is to be understood that this application is notlimited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parametersdescribed and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein isfor the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of exampleonly and is not intended to be limiting. Also, in some embodiments, asused in the specification and including the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference toa particular numerical value includes at least that particular value,unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressedherein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to“about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a rangeis expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular valueand/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values areexpressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it willbe understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It isalso understood that all spatial references, such as, for example,horizontal, vertical, top, upper, lower, bottom, left and right, are forillustrative purposes only and can be varied within the scope of thedisclosure. For example, the references “upper” and “lower” are relativeand used only in the context to the other, and are not necessarily“superior” and “inferior”.

The following discussion includes a description of components of a foodpackaging container. Alternate embodiments are also disclosed. Referenceis made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure, which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. Turningto FIGS. 1-6 , there are illustrated components of food packagingcontainer 10.

Container 10 is configured for storing products such as food, foodpreparation and/or beverages. Container 10 includes a molded body 12that defines a longitudinal axis AA, as shown in FIG. 3 . Body 12includes a rectangular configuration. In some embodiments, body 12 mayinclude various configurations, such as, for example, oval, oblongtriangular, square, polygonal, irregular, uniform, non-uniform, offset,staggered, and/or tapered. In some embodiments, body 12 may bemanufactured by injection blow molding techniques, as described herein.

Body 12 includes a plurality of sides, such as, for example, a side 14,a side 16, a side 18 and a side 20. Sides 14, 16, 18 and 20 each extendfrom a top 22 to a bottom 24 of body 12. Sides 14, 16, 18 and 20 have arectangular configuration. In some embodiments, sides 14, 16, 18 and 20may include various configurations, such as, for example, oval, oblongtriangular, square, polygonal, irregular, uniform, non-uniform, offset,staggered, and/or tapered.

Sides 14, 16 have equal lengths L1, L2 respectively and sides 18, 20have equal lengths L3, L4 respectively. Lengths L1, L2 are less thanlengths L3, L4 to facilitate gripping of container 10 by a user withsmaller hands and/or limited gripping strength. In some embodiments,lengths L1, L2 are from about 2 to about 7.5 inches. In someembodiments, lengths L3, L4 are from about 3 inches to about 8 inches.

Side 14 and side 16 each include a planar configuration and are disposedopposite one another such that side 14 and side 16 are relativelyparallel. In some embodiments, side 14 may extend at alternateconfigurations relative to side 16, such as, for example, arcuate,offset, staggered, transverse, angular and/or undulating. Side 18 andside 20 each include a planar configuration and are disposed oppositeone another such that side 18 and side 20 are relatively parallel. Insome embodiments, side 18 may extend at alternate configurationsrelative to side 20, such as, for example, arcuate, offset, staggered,transverse, angular and/or undulating.

Body 12 includes axial corners, such as, for example, corners 26, 28, 30and 32, as shown in FIG. 5 . An intersection of side 14 and side 18forms corner 26. An intersection of side 18 and side 16 forms corner 28.An intersection of side 16 and side 20 forms corner 30. An intersectionof side 20 and side 14 forms corner 32. Corners 26, 28, 30 and 32 extendaxially from top 22 to bottom 24. In some embodiments, body 12 includesone or a plurality of axial corners. Corners 26, 28, 30, 32 include acurved configuration such that corners 26, 28, 30, 32 include roundededges.

Each corner 26, 28, 30, 32 includes a surface 41 that defines a recess42, as shown in FIG. 2 . Recesses 42 facilitate gripping of container 10by a user that has limited grip strength and/or a user having smallhands. Each recess 42 extends axially along corners 26, 28, 30, 32 suchthat recesses 42 are relatively parallel. Each recess 42 has a length L5and a width W1. In some embodiments, length L5 is from about 10millimeters (mm) to about 100 mm. In some embodiments, width W1 is fromabout 5 millimeters (mm) to about 50 mm. In some embodiments, eachrecess 42 may include various lengths and/or widths.

Recess 42 includes a border 44. Border 44 includes sides 46, 48, 50 and52 that have a curved configuration such that sides 46, 48, 50, 52 arerounded. Sides 46, 48, 50, 52 are disposed in a substantiallyperpendicular relative orientation forming a substantially rectangularconfiguration. In some embodiments, border 44 may include variousconfigurations, such as, for example, oval, oblong triangular, square,polygonal, irregular, uniform, non-uniform, offset, staggered, and/ortapered. In some embodiments, body 12 can include one or a plurality ofrecesses 42. In some embodiments, recess 42 can be alternativelydisposed within sides 14, 16, 18 and/or 20.

Each recess 42 includes a portion 80 and a portion 82, as shown in FIG.2 . Portion 80 merges with portion 82 to form a concave configuration ofrecess 42. In some embodiments, portion 80 is disposed at a selectedangle relative to portion 82 to facilitate gripping container 10. Insome embodiments, portion 80 may extend at alternate configurationsrelative to portion 82, such as, for example, perpendicular, offset,staggered, transverse and/or undulating. Portion 80 includes a length L6and a depth D1. Portion 82 includes a length L7 and a depth D2. LengthL6 is equal to length L7 and depth D1 is equal to depth D2 such thatportions 80, 82 are configured substantially similar. In someembodiments, portion 80 and/or portion 82 can be can be smooth, rough,textured, porous, semi-porous, dimpled, knurled, toothed, raised,grooved and/or polished to facilitate gripping. In some embodiments,portion 80 and/or portion 82 can be textured via a rubber surface.

Each portion 80 includes an axial grip surface, such as, for example,ribs 90, 92. Ribs 90, 92 are aligned with body 12 in an orientation forgripping, as shown in FIG. 4 . For example, ribs 90, 92 are disposed inrelative parallel alignment such that container 10 can be gripped atcorner 28 and corner 30 by hands of a user. Ribs 90, 92 facilitategripping of container 10 for carrying and/or pouring products disposedwithin container 10.

Rib 90 includes an entirely linear configuration and includes a raisedsurface having a height H1, as shown in FIG. 2 . Rib 90 extends alongall or a portion of portion 80. Rib 90 includes a length L8 and a widthW2. In some embodiments, length L8 is from about 5 to about 80 mm. Insome embodiments, width W2 is from about 1 to about 10 mm.

Rib 92 is disposed spaced apart from rib 90 and distance X1. Rib 92includes an entirely linear configuration and includes a raised surfacehaving a height H2. Rib 92 extends along all or a portion of portion 80.Rib 92 includes a length L9 and a width W3. In some embodiments, lengthL9 is from about 5 to about 80 mm. In some embodiments, width W3 is fromabout 1 to about 10 mm. In some embodiments, portion 80 includes one ora plurality of ribs.

In some embodiments, ribs 90, 92 can be smooth, textured, porous,semi-porous, dimpled, knurled, toothed, grooved and/or polished. In someembodiments, ribs 90, 92 can be textured such as, for example, roughenedto increase grip. In some embodiments, ribs 90, 92 can be arcuate,dashed, uniform, non-uniform and/or wavy. In some embodiments, a portionof ribs 90, 92 can be angled, such as, for example, at an edge(s) orend(s). In some embodiments, ribs 90, 92 can alternatively be dots,squares, nipples, and/or crescent moon shaped. In some embodiments, ribs90, 92 may be alternatively disposed on body 12 to facilitate gripping.

In some embodiments, ribs 90, 92 are monolithic with portion 80 and aremade from the same material. In some embodiments, ribs 90, 92 areseparately applied and/or adhered to portion 80. In some embodiments,ribs 90, 92 are made from a different material. In some embodiments,ribs 90, 92 are made from a material such as, for example, rubber.

Side 14 comprises a panel 34 and side 16 comprises a panel 36, as shownin FIGS. 1 and 4 . Side 18 comprises a panel 38 and side 20 comprises apanel 40, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 . In some embodiments, panels 34,36, 38 and/or 40 are uniform and/or continuous.

In some embodiments, panels 34, 36, 38 and/or 40 are configured fordisposal with indicia (not shown). In some embodiments, the indiciaincludes markings that may be disposed in increments of measurement. Insome embodiments, the indicia may include human readable visual indicia,such as, for example, a label, color coding, alphanumeric characters oran icon. In some embodiments, the indicia may be a printed or writtenitem in combination with a slot or groove, whereby the printed orwritten item is placed in the slot or groove to display information. Insome embodiments, the indicia may be applied as an adhesive. In someembodiments, when the indicia is a label, the label can indicate thebrand and/or can identify the product that is being stored in container10. In some embodiments, a label can engage with panels 34, 36, 38and/or 40 via an adhesive.

Top 22 of body 12 includes a surface 60 that defines a wide mouthopening 62 configured for facilitating filling of container 10. Opening62 is centrally disposed relative to top 22. Opening 62 includes athreaded neck 64. In some embodiments, threaded neck 64 is configuredfor threaded engagement with a cap (not shown) to seal container 10.Opening 62 has a diameter DD1 from about 89 mm to about 120 mm, as shownin FIG. 5 .

Sides 14, 16, 18 and 20 define a cavity 66 having an interior space 68.Interior space 68 is configured to hold and store products such as food,food preparation and/or beverages and these products are inserted intocontainer 10 via opening 62.

A layer 70 of an additive is added to container 10 and is configured toform a barrier that prevents or reduces the ability of oxygen and/orlight to move from an environment surrounding container 10 to interiorspace 68 of container 10. Layer 70 increases the shelf life of theproduct disposed within container 10 for up to 1 to about 3 years.

In some embodiments, layer 70 comprises an oxygen scavenger and/oroxygen barrier material in an amount from 0.1 wt. % to about 20.0 wt. %of container 10. In some embodiments, layer 70 comprises an oxygenscavenger and/or oxygen barrier material in an amount from 0.1, 0.2,0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0,8.0, 9.0, 10.0, 11.0, 12.0, 13.0, 14.0, 15.0, 16.0, 17.0, 18.0, 19.0 toabout 20.0 wt. % of container 10.

Layer 70 of container 10 is not removed during the manufacturing processsuch that the oxygen scavenger and/or oxygen barrier material is presentin finished container 10. In some embodiments, container 10 may compriseone or more layers of an additive having an oxygen scavenger and/orbarrier material.

In some embodiments, the oxygen barrier is a passive barrier and isunreactive with oxygen. In some embodiments, the oxygen barrier is anoxygen scavenger and is reactive with oxygen to capture the oxygen. Insome embodiments, the oxygen scavenger includes one or more oxygenbarriers, such as, for example, one or more polymers, metals,compatibilizers, catalysts, and/or fatty acid salts.

Container 10 is about 114 ounces in size. In some embodiments, container10 can be any size and in some embodiments, is from about 90 to about130 ounces in size.

In some embodiments, container 10 includes PET resin enhancements viaimproved material orientation with selective physical performancefeatures, such as, for example, improved top load performance, improvedvacuum resistance performance and/or hoop strength, improved oxygenperformance, improved moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR)performance. In some embodiments, the enhancements include modificationsto the manufacturing process or the addition of additives to provide acontainer 10 made of PET resin that has a selected crystallinity, asdiscussed herein.

In some embodiments, container 10 has a crystallinity of about 10%. Insome embodiments, container 10 has a crystallinity between about 15% andabout 20%. In some embodiments, a preform of container 10 can be heatedand stretched to produce a container 10 having a crystallinity betweenabout 10 and about 50%. In some embodiments, the preform of container 10includes a molecular weight between about 120,000 g/mol and about500,000 g/mol.

In some embodiments, container 10 is made from a material comprisingsemi-crystalline or crystalline poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)resin. In some embodiments, container 10 may be fabricated from plasticand formed using injection and compression blow molding processes. Insome embodiments, container may be fabricated from polyester (PES),polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride(PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) (Saran), low-density polyethylene(LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), high impact polystyrene(HIPS), polyamides (PA) (Nylons), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),polyethylene/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PE/ABS), polycarbonate(PC), polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS), and/orpolyurethanes (PU).

In some embodiments, a manufacturing method is provided for container10. The method includes the steps of employing a single stage blowmolding process and providing a preform that produces containers havingrecess 42 and ribs 90, 92. In some embodiments, the method includesinjection blow molding the preform using a two-phase injection system,wherein one phase of the two-phase injection system (e.g., a firstphase) comprises injecting material into the preform and another phaseof the two-phase injection system (e.g., a second phase) comprisesinjecting material into the preform to form layer 70 or multiple layers,which at least includes an additive. The material used in the firstphase does not include any additives. In some embodiments, the materialused in the first phase is virgin PET without additives and the materialused in the second phase is PET and additives. This allows the materialthat is used in the first phase to be reground as virgin PET so as toavoid regrinding issues discussed above.

In some embodiments, the method includes the step of testing the one ormore preforms to ensure the one or more preforms include a selectedweight and selected neck finish dimension. In some embodiments, themethod includes the step of employing the one or more preforms with arecess 42 production mold. In some embodiments, the method includes thestep of blow molding the one or more preforms, which may comprise acontainer. In some embodiments, the method includes the step of trimmingthe one or more blow-molded preforms. In some embodiments, the step oftrimming includes a spin trim operation to remove a dome from the one ormore blow-molded preforms. In some embodiments, the method includes atwo-stage blow molding process such that the one or more preforms areinjection molded and stored before blowing the one or more preforms toproduce a container. In some embodiments, the method includes reusingthe dome to produce other containers, such as, for example other widemouth containers. In some embodiments, reusing the dome includesgrinding, blending, drying and adding the dome and adding the ground,blended and dried material to a melt stream, wherein the done does notcontain additives.

In some embodiments, ribs 90, 92 are blow molded with recess 42. In someembodiments, ribs 90, 92 are manufactured and separately attached,applied and/or adhered to portion 80 of recess 42.

In some embodiments, the present container is manufactured to include anoxygen scavenger and/or oxygen barrier material. That is, at least onelayer of a portion of the container that is not removed during themanufacturing process includes an oxygen scavenger and/or oxygen barriermaterial such that the oxygen scavenger and/or oxygen barrier materialis present in the finished container. In some embodiments, the containercomprises one or more layers having an oxygen barrier material. In someembodiments, the oxygen barrier material is present in the container inan amount between about 0.1 wt. % and about 20 wt. % of the container.In some embodiments, the oxygen barrier material is present in thecontainer in an amount about 3.0 wt. % of the container. In someembodiments, the oxygen barrier is a passive barrier and is unreactivewith oxygen. In some embodiments, the oxygen barrier is an oxygenscavenger and is reactive with oxygen to capture the oxygen. In someembodiments, the oxygen scavenger includes one or more oxygen barrier,such as, for example, one or more polymers, metals, compatibilizers,catalysts, and/or fatty acid salts.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to theembodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description shouldnot be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplification of thevarious embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision othermodifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A container comprising spaced apart recessestherein, the recesses each being divided into first and second halves,the container including first and second ribs positioned in each of therecesses such that the ribs of a respective one of the recesses are eachpositioned entirely in one of the halves of the respective one of therecesses, the ribs being disposed such that the container can be grippedat the corners by engaging the ribs.
 22. The container recited in claim21, wherein the ribs are disposed in relative parallel alignment. 23.The container recited in claim 21, wherein the ribs each have a linearconfiguration.
 24. The container recited in claim 21, wherein the ribseach have an entirely linear configuration.
 25. The container recited inclaim 21, wherein the ribs of each of the recesses are spaced apart fromone another.
 26. The container recited in claim 21, wherein the ribseach have a length and a width, the length being 5 times greater thanthe width.
 27. The container recited in claim 21, wherein the ribs eachhave a length and a width, the length being 8 times greater than thewidth.
 28. The container recited in claim 21, wherein the ribs each havea length and a width, the lengths being equal and the widths beingequal.
 29. The container recited in claim 21, wherein the recesses aredefined by an outer surface of a wall of the container, the ribs eachextending outwardly from the outer surface.
 30. The container recited inclaim 29, wherein the wall and the ribs are made from the same material.31. The container recited in claim 21, wherein the ribs aremonolithically formed with a surface of the container that defines therecesses.
 32. The container recited in claim 21, wherein the firsthalves are positioned between the second halves, the ribs each beingdisposed in one of the second halves.
 33. The container recited in claim21, wherein the container includes a plurality of corners, the recesseseach being positioned in one of the corners.
 34. The container recitedin claim 21, wherein the container includes four corners, the recesseseach being positioned in one of the corners.
 35. The container recitedin claim 21, wherein the recesses are each enclosed by a border, theborder comprising four sides.
 36. The container recited in claim 21,wherein the recesses are each enclosed by a border, the bordercomprising four sides that form a rectangular configuration.
 37. Thecontainer recited in claim 21, wherein the container comprises a layerof an additive configured to form a barrier that prevents or reduces theability of oxygen and/or light to move from an environment surroundingthe container to an interior space of the container.
 38. The containerrecited in claim 21, wherein the container is made from poly(ethyleneterephthalate).
 39. A container comprising spaced apart first and secondcorners, the corners each having a recess therein, the recesses eachbeing divided into first and second halves, the container includingfirst and second ribs positioned in each of the recesses such that theribs of a respective one of the recesses are each positioned entirely inone of the halves of the respective one of the recesses, the ribs beingdisposed in relative parallel alignment such that the container can begripped at the corners by engaging the ribs.
 40. A poly(ethyleneterephthalate) container comprising spaced apart first and secondcorners, the corners each having a recess therein, the recesses eachbeing enclosed by a border, the border comprising four sides that form arectangular configuration, the recesses each being divided into firstand second halves, the first halves being positioned between the secondhalves, the container including first and second ribs positioned in eachof the recesses such that the ribs of a respective one of the recessesare each positioned entirely in the second half of the respective one ofthe recesses, the ribs being disposed in relative parallel alignmentsuch that the container can be gripped at the corners by engaging theribs, wherein the ribs each have an entirely linear configuration,wherein the ribs of each of the recesses are spaced apart from oneanother, wherein the container comprises a layer of an additiveconfigured to form a barrier that prevents or reduces the ability ofoxygen and/or light to move from an environment surrounding thecontainer to an interior space of the container.